TY - JOUR
T1 - Flagship individuals in biodiversity conservation
AU - Jarić, Ivan
AU - Normande, Iran C.
AU - Arbieu, Ugo
AU - Courchamp, Franck
AU - Crowley, Sarah L.
AU - Jeschke, Jonathan M.
AU - Roll, Uri
AU - Sherren, Kate
AU - Thomas-Walters, Laura
AU - Veríssimo, Diogo
AU - Ladle, Richard J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America.
PY - 2024/2/1
Y1 - 2024/2/1
N2 - Flagship species are an important tool for mobilizing support for conservation. Here, we extend this concept to include individual organisms, whose characteristics, fates, and connections to people can garner public attention, attract conservation support, and spur activism. Flagship individuals typically share a similar suite of characteristics, including (1) species-level traits associated with charisma; (2) individual traits that are unique or distinctive; (3) a high degree of exposure to humans; and (4) a known, noteworthy life history or fate. The interplay between these characteristics and human agency establishes unique connections between flagship individuals and people, and generates widespread media attention. We discuss how the selection and promotion of flagship individuals can inspire empathy and, ultimately, conservation action. Finally, we identify the limitations of the flagship individual approach, while arguing that, if carefully and strategically implemented, it has the potential to produce substantial benefits for conservation policy and practice.
AB - Flagship species are an important tool for mobilizing support for conservation. Here, we extend this concept to include individual organisms, whose characteristics, fates, and connections to people can garner public attention, attract conservation support, and spur activism. Flagship individuals typically share a similar suite of characteristics, including (1) species-level traits associated with charisma; (2) individual traits that are unique or distinctive; (3) a high degree of exposure to humans; and (4) a known, noteworthy life history or fate. The interplay between these characteristics and human agency establishes unique connections between flagship individuals and people, and generates widespread media attention. We discuss how the selection and promotion of flagship individuals can inspire empathy and, ultimately, conservation action. Finally, we identify the limitations of the flagship individual approach, while arguing that, if carefully and strategically implemented, it has the potential to produce substantial benefits for conservation policy and practice.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85162972619&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/fee.2599
DO - 10.1002/fee.2599
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85162972619
SN - 1540-9295
VL - 22
JO - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
JF - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
IS - 1
M1 - e2599
ER -